"Is this a bounce-back year from the San Francisco 49ers?" asked Rich Eisen.
The 49ers are looking to rebound from last year's injury-plagued six-win campaign. The roster is getting healthy — save an injury for running back Jeff Wilson Jr., and could be vastly improved in 2021 thanks to its returning players.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo says his ankle is at 100 percent. Head coach Kyle Shanahan expects pass rusher Nick Bosa to be ready for training camp. Tight end George Kittle is fully healed and practicing.
This week, Eisen made his prediction for the 49ers during a segment on his show, running through the schedule game-by-game and projecting wins and losses for each matchup.
Eisen has San Francisco losing six games, finishing with a record of 11-6. The host envisions the Niners falling to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 4, the Chicago Bears in Week 8, the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14, the Tennessee Titans in Week 16, and getting swept by the Los Angeles Rams. The Niners swept the Rams last season. Then Los Angeles upgraded from quarterback Jared Goff to Matthew Stafford during the offseason.
Of course, that also means the 49ers sweep the Arizona Cardinals but still finish 3-3 within their division. That record could be costly when it comes to fighting for the NFC West title.
"You know what? I'll say this: I think the Rams win the (NFC) West," Eisen commented, "and part of the way they can win the West is sweep the 49ers, winning the division."
Eisen does feel that at least two NFC West teams make it to the playoffs, including the 49ers. He also believes the Seattle Seahawks have a chance. Of course, the division is among the best in football, and three teams seeing the postseason is dependent on the squads not "beating each other up" over the course of the season.